We’re Going on a Bear Hunt at the Palace Theatre Southend Review

We’re Going on
a Bear Hunt
Palace Theatre, Southend

It’s was a cold and wet morning and my 4 year old son and I were going on a bear hunt – to the Palace Theatre in Southend.

We found a local car park a 5 minute walk away from the theatre. The theatre is having a makeover and the scaffolding at the front of the theatre was very exciting for my son!! We collected out tickets from the box office and got a drink to take inside. We found our seats with no problems and it was a lovely surprise to find all new comfy red seats (it has been a while since I’ve visited this theatre). A lot of people had collected red plastic booster seats for their children – but we couldn’t see where to pick them up from! My son was ok though as he sat on our coats. All of a sudden, the lights dimmed and we could hear voices – the actors and actresses were coming through the audience – there was a buzz of excitement from the children around auditorium. We were going on a bear hunt.

The five main characters are Dad, Son, Daughter, Baby (who is a puppet) and Dog (who is also the main musician). They bring the book, by Michael Rosen, to life on the stage. Their energy and enthusiasm is shown throughout and they actively encourage the audience to join in with singing some of the words to the songs from the book and hunting for the bear – shouting out clues.

The journey to the bears cave is imaginative and excellently acted out with great props – tall swishy grass, a river, squelchy mud, the forest and a snow storm. My sons favourite part was the water – everyone got wet. The cast used buckets of water and started out by walking through it, then sprinkling it over the front rows of the audience and then no one stood a chance – everyone was laughing and having a great time.

The music and songs are catchy and we found ourselves singing them in the car on the way home. We both had a lovely time and it was just a wonderful performance of a very loved book. It’s 5 stars from us.

Rating: 5/5

Tickets cost £13.50 (includes booking fee).

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt is at the Palace Theatre in Southend until 17 February 2017. For more information or to book tickets click here or call the box office on 01702 351135.